threaten

Everyday

1. To threaten is to say you will hurt someone or do something bad if they do not do what you want. tree →
2. To threaten is to be a danger to something, like a storm threatening a town. tree →
3. To threaten can mean something bad seems likely to happen, like rain threatening. tree →

In the lessons

In safety and anti-bullying lessons, children learn that if someone threatens them, online or in person, they should tell a trusted adult straight away. In science and geography, pollution and habitat loss threaten animals and plants; endangered species are «threatened». In stories, the villain threatens the hero. Phrases: «threaten to», «threatened species», «it threatens to rain».

Examples

• The bully threatened to take my lunch. tree →
• If someone threatens you, tell a teacher. tree →
• Pollution threatens the coral reef. tree →
• Dark clouds threatened rain. tree →
• The fire threatened the houses near the forest. tree →
• The dragon threatened to burn the village. tree →
• Never threaten other people online. tree →
• Rising sea levels threaten small islands. tree →
• Bluff and threatening words are of little value with rascals. tree →

Note

Past form: threatened. Pronounced «THRET-en»; the «ea» sounds like the e in «bed». «Threaten to + verb»: «He threatened to leave». Related noun: «threat». Threatening someone is never okay and can be against the law.

In Jewish tradition

In safety and anti-bullying lessons, children learn that if someone threatens them, online or in person, they should tell a trusted adult straight away. In science and geography, pollution and habitat loss threaten animals and plants; endangered species are «threatened». In stories, the villain threatens the hero. Phrases: «threaten to», «threatened species», «it threatens to rain».

Examples

• The ransom of a man's life are his riches; but the poor heareth no threatening. (Writings PRO.13.8, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Past form: threatened. Pronounced «THRET-en»; the «ea» sounds like the e in «bed». «Threaten to + verb»: «He threatened to leave». Related noun: «threat». Threatening someone is never okay and can be against the law.